U.S. Ski & Snowboard Partners with the U.S. Army, Celebrating the 10th Mountain Division’s Founding Role in the Industry
U.S. Ski & Snowboard today announced the U.S. Army as the official armed forces partner of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, honoring the 10th Mountain Division’s distinguished legacy which led to the creation of America’s modern ski and snowboard industry. It is the first armed forces partnership for U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
The U.S. Army’s legacy in mountain warfare was forged during World War II when the highly trained Soldiers of its 10th Mountain Division scaled Italy’s Riva Ridge to secure a critical victory that shifted the momentum of the war. Upon returning home, many of these Soldiers founded ski resorts and ski schools nationwide that became the foundation of the American ski industry and fueled the sport's widespread popularity.
“Partnering with the U.S. Army has been in the works for a while, and goes back to a training camp in Portillo, Chile, where the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division were training on the same mountain as our women’s alpine team,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Since then, we have been looking to work together to showcase the history of the 10th Mountain Division and its contributions to our sport. It is an authentic fit, knowing they were instrumental in founding the infrastructure of skiing and snowboarding in America, and built many of the resorts we ski and ride on today.”
“Many Americans may not realize that two of their favorite winter pastimes, skiing and snowboarding, have deep roots in the U.S. Army,” said Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Braman, Army Chief Marketing Officer, who served as the Deputy Commanding General for the 10th Mountain Division from 2022-24. “We are proud to partner with U.S. Ski & Snowboard to bring awareness to the 10th Mountain Division’s achievements including the development of several Olympic athletes and a significant impact on the recreational ski industry’s culture.”
As part of the partnership, athletes will don an Army/10th Mountain Division patch on team outerwear. In addition, the U.S. Army/10th Mountain Division will invest in the U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s athlete influencer program to highlight the division’s foundation in alpine history and have a presence at the Stifel Copper Cup presented by United, an Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Nov. 27-30 and the Stifel Lake Placid Finals, a COOP FIS Cross Country World Cup, March 20-22.
The partnership takes effect immediately and the Army’s investment will be used to support the U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes as they enter the 2025-26 season, including the Milano Cortina Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games in Italy this upcoming February.
About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Started in 1905, the organization now represents nearly 240 elite skiers and snowboarders competing on 10 teams, including the Stifel U.S. Ski Team: alpine, cross country, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, freeski, nordic combined, Para alpine and ski jumping, the Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team and Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org.
About the Army Enterprise Marketing Office
AEMO is the U.S. Army's national marketing, marketing research and analysis, and accessions analysis organization. AEMO develops innovative and effective ways to connect with the American public to make the Army more accessible and understood, increase awareness of both the benefits and value of Army service, and motivate the most qualified candidates to choose the Army as their service of first choice. For more information on Army careers, visit: www.goarmy.com